Genital warts

Reviewed by Dr Dan Rutherford, GP

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted condition caused by the human papilloma virus . Genital warts can be flat with stalks, or cauliflower-like, and are most often seen on the genitals or the area around the rectum.

HPV can be divided into several sub-categories. Some types are more resistant to treatment than others, and some are associated with the early stages of cancer in the genitals.

Genital warts are a very common viral sexually transmitted disease. The disease usually hits young people in their 20s.

How do you get genital warts?

Genital warts are mainly spread through sexual contact.

In rare cases both adults and children are infected indirectly, for instance through the use of an infected towel. Babies can also be infected during delivery.

What are the signs of genital warts?

Genital warts do not appear until two to four weeks after infection and sometimes months pass before the warts become visible.

Genital warts do not usually hurt, but they can be itchy. The warts have varied appearances - from completely flat warts to rough cauliflower-like warts. They can appear on their own or in groups.

In males, genital warts often appear on the penis or underneath the foreskin. The warts can also be situated in the urethra, in most cases at the very end of it, and the area around the rectum.

In females, genital warts appear on the lips of the vulva, in the vagina, or by the urethra. Genital warts can also appear in and around the rectum.

Genital warts can be so flat that they become invisible to the naked eye, but they usually make themselves felt through an itchy and burning sensation. 'Invisible' genital warts can be detected by a doctor as described below.

Who is at risk?

People with many sexual partners.

People who do not practise safe sex.

Good advice

Use a condom - it will partially protect you against genital warts.

Anyone in doubt should contact their doctor who will examine and treat them and also their partner or partners.

A sudden and strong eruption of genital warts could suggest a defect in the immune system perhaps caused by HIV - anyone affected should contact their doctor immediately.

How does the doctor make the diagnosis?

Through a clinical examination.

To detect 'invisible' genital warts the doctor will swab the skin with acetic acid. The genital warts will then show as white patches on the skin.

How are genital warts treated?

It is important that both partners are treated. Make sure you follow the treatment - genital warts are easy to treat when they are small and few.

Genital warts can be treated by swabbing with the cell poison, podophyllotoxin.

Some cases may be referred to a specialist in skin and sexually transmitted diseases who will remove the warts under local anaesthesia using surgery, freezing, or laser treatment.

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